Brampton Man Dies in Multi-Vehicle Pileup Amid Snow Squall in Orillia

A man from Brampton is dead and 11 people were taken to hospital after a multi-vehicle pileup during an intense snow squall that forced the closure of Highway 11 in Orillia on Friday.

The "very serious multi-vehicle collision" on Friday morning shut down large stretches of Highway 11 "for the foreseeable future" while OPP officers, Orillia firefighters and Simcoe County paramedics responded. The northbound highway was closed from Coldwater Road to Highway 400 and southbound lanes were closed from County Road 169 to Line 15.

A 49-year-old man from Brampton was pronounced dead at the scene as a result of the collision. Others were transported to local hospitals with "various injuries," the OPP said.

Orillia Fire Chief Chris Ferry told the Star they were on scene just after 9 a.m.

"We're looking at about 50 vehicles backed up," said Ferry, whose voice was drowned out by emergency calls coming from his radio.

Two critical care ambulances and two helicopters were sent to respond though the services were cancelled, Ontario's air ambulance service, Ornge, told the Star.

"We're asking the public to avoid all unnecessary travel," said OPP Sgt. Jake Daynes in a brief update on social media.

"I understand there is information that this is a mass casualty event, I can assure that this is not one of those," Daynes said in an update video posted on X Friday afternoon, following up shortly afterward to advise that 11 people were confirmed to be transported to hospital.

Drivers were warned about blowing snow blocking sightlines and advised anyone involved in a collision to stay in their car.

"Do not get out because you could get potentially injured due to the poor visibility conditions. As I've said many times before here, visibility is poor, road conditions are poor," Daynes said.

City buses were on scene providing warmth to grounded drivers, Ferry said. Daynes added that Rotary Place, at 100 University Avenue in Orillia, was opened as a warming centre for those stranded in the crash.

As of 4 p.m., road closures remained in effect on Highway 11 and the OPP said updates will be provided when they reopen.

Snow squall warnings are active for Barrie and Orillia, with Environment Canada warning that the area could get up to 20 centimetres of snow Friday.

The City of Orillia declared a significant weather event on Friday afternoon, saying that 40 centimetres of snow had fallen in the city, with an additional 20 centimetres expected.

The city is advising people to avoid travel as the roads are "currently impassable in some areas." Public transit is still operating.

All public facilities in Orillia were closed at 2 p.m., due to the storm, for "the safety of staff and patrons," and waste collection services were also suspended.

The OPP said they're experiencing "heavy call volume" while they respond to collisions on surrounding roads in the Orillia area.

The OPP remains on scene as they investigate and ask anyone with information or video footage to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or anonymously through local Crime Stoppers.

More to come.